Tang Yang was a person of standing, and Sheng Nina didn’t believe she would fabricate stories just to save face. Unless… she was with Jiang Shiyan, and it had happened quietly…
Sheng Nina hadn’t anticipated this possibility and stood frozen in place.
“By the way,” Tang Yang thought of something, “Calling him Shiyan is too intimate. I haven’t heard him say he’s close with you, and I’m personally quite petty and scheming,” Tang Yang candidly used Sheng Nina’s earlier words to describe herself, “So I hope Miss Sheng can understand the need to avoid suspicion in the future.”
Tang Yang kindly pulled out a tissue for Sheng Nina, but she didn’t take it.
Tang Yang gently placed the tissue in her hand.
“Also,” Tang Yang politely nodded to Sheng Nina, “It was nice to meet you.”
With that, she walked past Sheng Nina and left without looking back.
Outside, Jiang Shiyan had hidden in the stairway before Tang Yang came out.
He only left after Tang Yang had gone.
Jiang Shiyan’s ears still echoed with Tang Yang’s soft, gentle tone, and he couldn’t help but smile.
Look, look, this was his Yang Yang. What it means to be calm, graceful, and to exert great force with little effort…
Perhaps Jiang Shiyan himself felt his smile was about to reach the sky. As he walked, he placed his thumb and index finger on the corners of his mouth, forcefully pulling them straight. But within a second, they curled up into a smile again.
He tried to flatten them again, but his lips curled upward once more.
After several attempts, Jiang Shiyan realized a problem: he should have left from the stairway, so why was he going downstairs?
So, like a programmed robot, he first walked towards the stairs leading to the third floor, alternating between flattening his lips and involuntarily smiling. Halfway up, he turned around and walked steadily upwards with the same rhythm of flattening and smiling.
On the third floor, a cleaning uncle eating a boxed meal sat at the stairway. Having witnessed this person go down halfway and then come back up, he quietly hugged his meal box closer, shrinking towards the wall corner in slight fear.
After leaving the restroom, Tang Yang went to the balcony at the end of the hall to catch some fresh air.
The early spring night was thin, and the air seemed to carry a layer of moist, earthy fragrance. Downstairs, the elderly were chatting and drinking tea, while children were chasing and playing.
The chirping sounds formed a white noise, and Tang Yang listened, her gaze becoming somewhat vacant.
She was Yan Gou’s girlfriend, and what she said wasn’t wrong. For some unknown reason, Tang Yang still felt as if a hand was gripping her heart, tightening bit by bit, squeezing out an inexplicable sourness…
After standing there for about half an hour, Tang Yang composed herself and returned to the hospital room.
Mrs. Ni Pingbo and her daughter had already left. Jiang Shiyan had changed out of his hospital gown into a black thick sweatshirt and light-colored trousers. Mrs. Jiang was packing things up.
She didn’t take the thermos or napkins, mainly packing Jiang Shiyan’s tablet and keyboard into his bag.
Tang Yang looked at Mrs. Jiang and then at Jiang Shiyan, puzzled: “Are you being discharged?”
“Mm,” Mrs. Jiang turned her head, “I’m going shopping with my girlfriends tomorrow, so I’ll have to trouble you, Tang Tang, to drive him back later.”
“That’s fine,” Tang Yang said, perplexed, “But I thought I heard he wasn’t supposed to be discharged until Sunday.”
Jiang Shiyan, with one foot on the edge of the bed, tying his shoelaces, said: “Those last few IV drips are useless anyway, it doesn’t matter whether I get them or not.”
Tang Yang: “If the doctor prescribed them, there must be a reason. You shouldn’t…”
“Don’t bother arguing with him,” Mrs. Jiang came over to pull Tang Yang, “He came back from the bathroom acting silly, saying he wants to go home to be with his little moon.”
Tang Yang was confused: “What little moon does he have at home?”
“I don’t know who used to hate those fluffy, shedding little darlings the most. Other people’s kids cry and make a fuss to get their parents to keep pets, but when I was growing vegetables, I don’t know who threw a fit saying if he saw even one hair in his bedroom, he’d throw the vegetables in the trash,” Mrs. Jiang snorted disdainfully, then answered Tang Yang word by word, “He says it’s a cat.”
Mrs. Jiang’s sarcastic intent was very clear.
Tang Yang realized something. She glanced at Jiang Shiyan, helping Mrs. Jiang pack while her ears inexplicably heated up.
Sure enough, the next moment.
Jiang Shiyan looked at Tang Yang with smiling eyes, but his words were directed at Mrs. Jiang: “My cat is well-behaved, sensible, cute, and beautiful. Do you think it’s like your stupid guinea pig that runs around everywhere and only knows how to chew books?”
Mrs. Jiang snorted, too lazy to banter with him.
Tang Yang, caught between mother and son, lowered her head, her ear tips tinged with a faint red.
Soon after, Tang Yang finished helping pack and asked if they needed to handle the discharge procedures, handing Jiang Shiyan his bag.
Jiang Shiyan took the bag and took the opportunity to hold Tang Yang’s hand, “No need, my assistant will come tomorrow.”
Mrs. Jiang was walking right in front of them.
How could this person…
Tang Yang tried to pull away, but Jiang Shiyan wouldn’t let go, not until they got in the elevator and Mrs. Jiang turned to speak to them. Only then did Jiang Shiyan clear his throat and reluctantly release his little girlfriend who loved to blush.
The elevator wasn’t crowded, but it wasn’t appropriate to talk.
Reaching the ground floor, Tang Yang went to get the car, Mrs. Jiang waited at the entrance for Mr. Jiang, and Jiang Shiyan waited for Tang Yang.
Cars were clustered in groups at the hospital’s street-facing entrance, yet her son was still single.
As Mrs. Jiang watched, she couldn’t help but sigh.
“Tomorrow’s Saturday. Tang Tang is tired enough from work on weekdays, and the weekend is her only chance to rest. Since you’re free anyway, you might as well cook something and invite her over to eat. It’s just across the hall,” Mrs. Jiang said. “It’s not good for Tang Tang’s health to eat takeout all the time.”
He was willing to cook for Yang Yang himself, but hearing these words from his mother…
Jiang Shiyan pointed at himself in disbelief: “I’m a patient.”
Mrs. Jiang: “Tang Tang can’t cook.”
Jiang Shiyan: “I’m your son.”
Mrs. Jiang justified: “I like Tang Tang.”
I like Yang Yang too! Jiang Shiyan might have lost the verbal battle, but in his heart, a million little figures were waving bouquets: “Sorry, Mrs. Yi, sorry, Mom, I’m now your Tang Tang’s boyfriend, properly married—no, I mean, rightfully…”
Mrs. Jiang looked at him suspiciously: “What are you mumbling about?”
“Nothing.” Jiang Shiyan coughed into his fist, turning his head to hide his smile.
Mrs. Jiang didn’t want to talk to him anymore.
They left the hospital around 9:30 PM, and there wasn’t much traffic on the road.
Tang Yang’s Mini was out of gas, so she had been driving her mother’s newly bought Lotus for the past week, a coupe model with quick acceleration.
Tang Yang drove at the speed limit, focusing intently.
Jiang Shiyan didn’t dare disturb her, sitting obediently in the passenger seat, one hand on the handle, the other tapping a rhythm on his thigh, softly humming along with Westlife.
Jiang Shiyan’s voice was rich and mellow, blending into the melodious tune as if coated with a layer of time.
Back in high school, Tang Yang would clip the latest Apple MP3 player to her collar and share an earbud with Yan Gou. Jiang Shiyan would hide his identical MP3 player in his desk drawer and lean in close to listen to her.
Jiang Shiyan gazed at the road ahead, his humming growing increasingly gentle.
Tang Yang’s thoughts aligned with his, and it felt as if a string in her heart had been quietly plucked.
After getting out of the car, Tang Yang’s expression softened a bit: “Do you have time?”
“Yes, I do.” Jiang Shiyan pressed the elevator button.
Tang Yang said calmly: “Let’s talk?”
“Sure.” Jiang Shiyan stepped aside to let Tang Yang enter first.
Tang Yang reached out to press the floor button: “Your place or mine?”
Jiang Shiyan still answered in a sweet and happy tone: “Either is fine!”
“Be serious!” Tang Yang elbowed his waist, holding back a smile.
Jiang Shiyan casually put his arm around Tang Yang’s shoulders.
Halfway up the floors.
The scrolling advertisement on the side of the elevator changed from Jiujiang Group’s recruitment to Sheng Nina.
In the image, a beautiful woman in a princess dress overcame hardships to find her prince. The two embraced under the moonlight, and Sheng Nina said with a sweet smile, “A moment of passion, indulge in smoothness.”
Tang Yang’s mind promptly recalled Sheng Nina stopping her in the restroom saying, “To be honest with you, I like Jiang Shiyan.” The curve of her lips gradually froze in place.
Jiang Shiyan observed her, his heart slowly rising with anxiety.
“Ding dong,” they reached their floor.
Tang Yang exited the elevator, and Jiang Shiyan followed her out. He knew Tang Yang had something to say, so he didn’t speak first, just silently following behind her.
Tang Yang walked in silence to the space between the two doors and stopped.
The sensor lights lit up symmetrical small dots, and Tang Yang stood at the intersection of two warm yellow halos.
She pressed her lips together, then looked up at Jiang Shiyan and spoke softly.
“Although when we first defined our relationship, we agreed that we could separate if there were special changes in our feelings, I don’t think we’re experiencing any special changes now. Even if there were changes, before they occur, and at other times, I hope we can have effective communication.” Tang Yang paused, trying hard to appear objective and calm. “For example, today, besides Sheng Nina and her group, did anyone else come to see you?”
Jiang Shiyan answered honestly: “There were three other groups. One was Shen Yanxi, who was brought by her mother, you’ve met her. Another was Fang Shu, whose aunt is my mother’s business partner. And Tian Yao, who came with her aunt, also a business partner.”
Tang Yang made a sound of acknowledgment: “How long did they each stay?”
Jiang Shiyan said: “Ten minutes, about thirty-five minutes, and twenty minutes.”
It was almost the same as what Chen Qiang had told her.
Tang Yang asked again: “What did you talk about?”
“What did we talk about?” Jiang Shiyan repeated her question, taking out his phone, unlocking it, swiping left and right but not answering.
Tang Yang naturally interpreted his attitude as avoidance and protection of his business partners.
One second, two seconds, three seconds.
Tang Yang put her hands in her pockets.
“No answer…” She laughed very lightly, “If I hadn’t run into Sheng Nina tonight, would you have told me?”
Jiang Shiyan didn’t react, and Tang Yang continued to smile: “If I hadn’t asked, would you have voluntarily mentioned the other three?”
“Or do you think it’s normal to date while meeting other young women since you cleverly left yourself an escape route when you confessed?”
Tang Yang fired off questions in rapid succession.
Jiang Shiyan came back to his senses and smiled. “Yang Yang, you shouldn’t make such assumptions about me.”
“I’m making assumptions?” Tang Yang scoffed. “You know I hate guessing. I prefer straightforward communication. And the fact is, Sheng Nina is excellent, right?”
“Yang Yang—”
“Let me finish,” Tang Yang interrupted, taking a deep breath before continuing, trying to maintain composure. “She’s 24, from a similar background, with a flawless face. Though I don’t consider matching backgrounds important, she’s undeniably young and beautiful. Oh, and she’s a big celebrity in the entertainment industry. You’re the CEO of a film company. You share a common field, easily striking up conversations. Who knows, you might even become close confidants.”
“Yang Yang.” Jiang Shiyan tried to embrace her.
Tang Yang brushed his hand away. “Right,” she continued, “We were just friends before. Who knows, she might even hike over mountains to see you, holding hands, embracing…”
As Tang Yang spoke, she felt increasingly upset.
Jiang Shiyan, feeling her pain, called out “Yang Yang” repeatedly, trying to embrace her.
“You could pour your hearts out under the moonlight.”
“Like those lines Sheng Nina just recited.”
Tang Yang kept pushing him away.
“A moment of passion, indulging in smoothness.” Tang Yang’s eyes reddened with anger.
Jiang Shiyan, taking advantage of his superior strength, pulled her into a tight embrace.
“Yang Yang, Yang Yang, Yang Yang.” He called her name softly, repeatedly kissing her forehead.
Tang Yang tried to struggle, to push him away, but Jiang Shiyan held her tightly, refusing to let go.
Gradually, Tang Yang’s emotions stabilized.
Jiang Shiyan gently pressed his lips to her brow, holding them there for a while before releasing.
He explained, “They came with intentions, but since they didn’t make them clear, I ignored them. I wanted to tell Mrs. Yi about us,” Jiang Shiyan took all the blame on himself, “But I’m a fool. I didn’t know if you’d want that.”
The familiar woody scent filled her nostrils as Tang Yang rested her cheek against his broad chest.
As Jiang Shiyan spoke, Tang Yang felt his warmth enveloping her from all sides, his heart beating strongly against her.
Tang Yang’s eyelashes fluttered slightly.
Jiang Shiyan brought his phone in front of her. “I didn’t mean to not answer earlier. I wanted to show you this. When Shen Yanxi and the others first came, I recorded everything. Almost five hours.”
Tang Yang couldn’t believe her ears.
Jiang Shiyan played the audio. Shen Yanxi’s polite yet impatient tone came through the speaker.
Tang Yang looked up at Jiang Shiyan with wide eyes.
Jiang Shiyan said, “I have many faults, but I don’t want any more misunderstandings to upset you.”
“You’re at fault too,” Jiang Shiyan continued patiently, looking into her clear, lively doe eyes. He couldn’t resist giving her a light kiss. “You should have confronted me at the hospital,” he imitated her, “Jiang Shiyan, who the hell is Sheng Nina? What are you doing? How could you do this? You shouldn’t have considered so much…”
Jiang Shiyan’s voice was low and soothing, like a gentle mountain stream.
Tang Yang felt the tight grip on her heart loosening, replaced by a comforting warmth.
“But,” Jiang Shiyan smiled as he remembered something, “I accidentally overheard what you said to Sheng Nina in the restroom.”
The comfort ended there.
Tang Yang felt like a fool for her earlier outburst, given Jiang Shiyan’s perceptiveness.
She just wanted to get up from Jiang Shiyan’s embrace and scurry home.
“Yang Yang,” Jiang Shiyan looked at her with deep eyes, smiling, “I’m very happy.”
“Get lost!” Tang Yang stomped on his foot. As he loosened his grip, she darted to her door like a rabbit, fumbling with the lock.
Jiang Shiyan followed unhurriedly, a low chuckle in his voice: “The way you get jealous—”
“I was objectively, soberly, and rationally analyzing facts. I wasn’t jealous!” The key wouldn’t go into the lock. Tang Yang’s face was burning, and she was on the verge of losing it.
Two hands reached from behind her, one circling her waist, the other covering her hand.
Jiang Shiyan pressed against her back, pulling her slightly towards him. Then, guiding her hand, he calmly inserted the key into the lock. With a “click,” the door opened.
Jiang Shiyan said, “It’s especially cute.”
His hot breath washed over Tang Yang’s cheeks, neck, and behind her ears, like a June evening breeze in Jiangnan, imbued with sincerity, turning her fair skin even redder.
Who, who’s jealousy is especially c-cute…
Tang Yang’s delicate throat bobbed as she stepped back slightly, opened the door, and went in.
“You’re the only one talking,” Tang Yang mumbled very softly, “You even said your cat was especially cute tonight,” she grumbled, “Who knows if you’re telling the truth or lying.”
Jiang Shiyan followed her in, subtly blocking her path, his hand reaching back to close the door.
“It’s true. I’m almost dying,” he said sincerely.
In the cramped, dim entryway, Tang Yang felt his embrace, surrounded by his pleasant woody scent. His burning lips fell on her hair, tracing along her forehead, eyes, and cheeks, kissing inch by inch to her ear…
“It’s true. I’m almost dying,” Jiang Shiyan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he repeated.
Tang Yang carefully wrapped her arms around his waist, her eyelashes trembling, her face flushed as she whispered even more softly, “W-why…”
Jiang Shiyan’s smile deepened. He raised his hand to gently caress her lips, his voice husky: “Dying from your enchantment…”
His lips and breath covered Tang Yang’s earlobe, hot and rolling, making her shiver, her body going soft, her ears turning so red they could almost drip blood.
Jiang Shiyan’s lips deliberately pressed against the reddest part of her ear, his voice lowering even more: “Enchanted… completely…”
His burning palm brushed Tang Yang’s waist, and then, with particular mischief, slowly and gently, he blew a soft breath into her ear.